Athletic training belt for improving motor control

ABSTRACT

An exercise device configured for lower body exercises, is disclosed. The exercise device includes an adjustable belt configured to be worn around a waist of a user. The exercise device includes a set of elastic foot cuffs. The exercise device includes a center strap configured to be removably attached to the adjustable belt and the set of elastic foot cuffs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to athletic equipment or exercise devices. More specifically, the present disclosure provides for an exercise device used to develop core and lower body strength while improving motor control.

BACKGROUND

Regular exercise has become a regular staple in societal routines in order to increase a person's overall level of fitness. The benefits of regular exercise are well documented to provide multiple benefits. Exercise improvise both the strength and the efficiency of your cardiovascular system to get the oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. Additionally, staying active keeps muscles strong and joints, tendons and ligaments flexible, allowing you to move more easily and avoid injury. Another benefit that comes from exercising is the number of calories burned. As more muscle is developed, a person's metabolic rate increases, in order to burn additional calories and subsequently fat even when not exercising. Increased exercising also increases blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain. The increase of blood flow and oxygen levels could lead to increased ability in memory and learning.

One of the areas of the body that are deemed important to direct regular exercise, is the lower body. Having a stronger and capable lower body can be essential to improving posture and prevent injury. Additionally, daily tasks such as walking, running, jumping, and lunging are made easier from the increased strength, agility, and stamina that have been developed by the development of muscles in the lower body. Often times individuals invest in workout equipment that facilitate the use of body weight, dumbbells, kettle bells, and various barbell training exercise devices. However, many of these exercises devices and equipment are unable to be easily portable, carried, or stored by the user. Most of the aforementioned equipment is used in a gym setting, or in an exercise room. As such, there is a long felt need to have an exercise device that is portable, can be utilized in any space or area, and able to be stored easily without taking up much space, while also being efficient to use.

It is therefore the intent of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problems, and issues, by providing an exercise solution to develop core and lower body strength while improving motor control. The exercise solution described herein, provides the advantage of strengthening the lower body and core.

The aspects or the problems and the associated solutions presented in this section are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exercise device configured for lower body exercises, is disclosed. The exercise device includes an adjustable belt configured to be worn over the hips of a user. The exercise device includes a set of elastic foot cuffs. The exercise device includes a center strap configured to be removably attached to the adjustable belt and the set of elastic foot cuffs.

In one embodiment, the adjustable belt is configured to be worn over a pelvis of a user.

In one embodiment, the set of elastic foot cuffs comprise of elastic webbing.

In one embodiment, the set of elastic foot cuffs are configured to be worn around one or more feet.

In one embodiment, each elastic foot cuff in the set of elastic foot cuffs is configured to change length independently.

In one embodiment, each elastic foot cuff shares a common attachment point configured with an eyelet, interfaced with a carabiner on the center strap.

In one embodiment, the center strap is configured to be inserted into a cam buckle, and adjustable in length.

In one embodiment, each of a first end and a second end of the center strap comprise of a carabiner.

In one embodiment, the carabiner of the first end and the second end is configured to be removably attached to one or more D rings on the adjustable belt and an eyelet positioned on the set of elastic foot cuffs.

In one embodiment, the center strap comprises of a cam buckle and a handle.

In one embodiment, the center strap is configured to be shortened by opening the cam buckle, and pulling up on the handle.

In one embodiment, the adjustable belt comprises of a first end and a second end configured to be removably attached by one or more of a hook and loop fastener, or a belt buckle.

The above aspects or examples and advantages, as well as other aspects or examples and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The figures illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts elastic foot cuffs made from heavy elastic webbing, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 2 depicts an adjustable center strap, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 3 depicts an adjustable nylon belt, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the adjustable nylon belt, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the elastic foot cuffs, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the adjustable center strap, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 7 depicts an isometric view of the adjustable nylon belt, in accordance with an example;

FIG. 8 depicts an isometric view of the adjustable center strap, in accordance with an example; and

FIG. 9 depicts an isometric view of the adjustable center strap, in accordance with an example.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof.

The present embodiments therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

An exercise device configured for lower body exercises, is disclosed. The exercise device includes an adjustable belt configured to be worn over the hips of a user. The exercise device includes a set of elastic foot cuffs. The exercise device includes a center strap configured to be removably attached to the adjustable belt and the set of elastic foot cuffs.

The exercise device is an athletic training belt that is worn and used to develop core and lower body strength while improving motor control. The device is configured to strengthen and tone the lower body and core. While strengthening the lower body and core, portions of the spine are protected, specifically the vertebral disks. The resistance of the athletic training band is configured to be placed directly on the lower body by placing a weight load on the hips directly. As such, the resistance and the associated weight is distributed towards the lower body as the central focus, and away from the back, to limit an unwarranted injury on the spine and lower back area.

The exercise device comprises of a set of foot cuffs, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. The set of foot cuffs can comprise of one or more-foot retainers, that are configured to be worn around a user's feet. The foot cuffs are configured to be made from elastic webbing that are configured to securely fit around the user's foot, and expand in the instance that a larger foot is placed within the foot retainers. Each of the foot cuffs are able to change in length, independently. Additionally, the foot cuffs are removably attached to one another via a common attachment point. The attachment point can be one or more of strap, a corn, or a hook and loop fastener.

FIGS. 2 and 6 depicts an adjustable center strap. The center strap is configured to be removably attached to the set of foot cuffs on a first end. The foot cuffs are configured to share a common attachment point with the adjustable center strap. The foot cuffs comprise of an eyelet where the carabiner located on the center strap is configured to make a connection with. The carabiner is effectively able to be removably attached to the eyelet, in order to create a balanced and weight distributed connection to the foot cuffs. The center strap further includes a carabiner on each of a first end and a second end of the center strap. The center strap also is configured to be inserted through a cam buckle that allows the strap to be adjustable in length and tension on both ends of the center strap.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 depicts an adjustable nylon belt. Each end of the center strap, comprising of the carabiners are configured to attached to one or more D-rings positioned on the adjustable nylon belt. The belt includes a first end and a second end that are configured to be removably attached. When connected, the adjust able nylon belt is configured to be worn over the hips of the user. The first end and the second end are secured via a belt buckle, a hook and loop fastener, a set of hooks, or another securing means that is configured to removably attached each of the first end and the second end.

As shown in FIG. 7, the adjustable nylon belt is configured to be worn around the waist of the user. The nylon belt can be adjusted over the hip to ensure a comfortable but secure fit, to avoid slippage, or excessive tension. Once the belt is secured in place, the center strap can be securely attached to a set of D-rings on the adjust able belt, as shown in FIG. 8. The D rings are configured to receive a first carabiner on a first end of the center strap, through each of the retaining portions of the D-rings. The retaining portions are configured to give the carabiner enough movability to be mobile to ensure flexibility, but secure enough to stay connected to each of the D-rings. The second end of the center strap is then connected to an eyelet positioned on the foot cuffs, as shown in FIG. 9. Once both the elastic foot cuffs and belt are attached to the center strap, the center strap can be shortened by opening a cam buckle on the center strap. The cam buckle can be opened by pulling up on a handle that is connected to the center strap, that is configured to slide the cam buckle in an open position to shorten the strap, thereby providing more tension with respect to the foot cuffs. The cam buckle can also be closed by sliding down the handle, in order to lengthen the strap, thereby providing less tension with respect to the foot cuffs. The tension between the center strap and the foot cuffs is create through a length tension relationship that creates resistance at both the pelvis and the lower limbs. Once the center strap is shortened, the exercise device is able to provide a constant downward pull on the hip of the user. This downward pull forces the user to stabilize their pelvis by engaging their core and glutes, thereby activating muscle building. Accordingly, the musculature is built, while also improving pelvic stability, and overall motor control.

In order to ensure that mobility is available, the foot cuffs, made with elastic webbing are configured to move independently, thereby allowing the user to find a comfortable position to perform one or more exercise movements. A user wearing device can perform exercise movements selected from but not limited to hip-hinging movements, unilateral marching exercises, overhead press, plank, overhead carry, inverted row, pushups, and pull ups. Through these exercise movements, the exercise device is configured to strengthen all of the surrounding hip muscles, spinal erectors, hamstrings, core and quadriceps while improving the user's motor control. These will effectively contribute to maintaining healthy hip and spinal positions, while also resulting in increased performance and a reduction in the risk of injury.

Example embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the intended spirit and scope of example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited to these embodiments. Modification within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise device configured for lower body exercises, comprising: an adjustable belt configured to be over the hips of a user; a set of elastic foot cuffs; and a center strap configured to be removably attached to the adjustable belt and the set of elastic foot cuffs.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable belt is configured to be worn over a pelvis of a user.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the set of elastic foot cuffs comprise of elastic webbing.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the set of elastic foot cuffs are configured to be worn around one or more feet.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein each elastic foot cuff in the set of elastic foot cuffs is configured to change length independently.
 6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein each elastic foot cuff shares a common attachment point configured with an eyelet, interfaced with a carabiner on the center strap.
 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the center strap is configured to be inserted into a cam buckle, and adjustable in length.
 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein each of a first end and a second end of the center strap comprise of a carabiner.
 9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the carabiner of the first end and the second end is configured to be removably attached to one or more D rings on the adjustable belt and an eyelet positioned on the set of elastic foot cuffs.
 10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the center strap comprises of a cam buckle and a handle.
 11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the center strap is configured to be shortened by opening the cam buckle, and pulling up on the handle.
 12. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the adjustable belt comprises of a first end and a second end configured to be removably attached by one or more of a hook and loop fastener, or a belt buckle. 